CPSC Issues Fewer Toy Recalls and Increases Port Seizures in 2013

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reported that the number of toy recalls has decreased dramatically since 2008, due in part to an increase in port seizures.  The CPSC strives to protect consumers, especially children, from harmful products that may be laced with chemicals.  In late 2013, the CPSC released a statement measuring its progress in recent years. 

During the past five years, CPSC and U.S. Customs and Border Protection have stopped more than 9.8 million units of about 3,000 different toys that violated applicable standards.  The violative products never made it onto store shelves and were kept out of consumers’ homes.

In fiscal year 2013, CPSC issued only 31 toy recalls, none of which involved a lead violation.  This compares with 172 toy recalls in fiscal year 2008 (19 of which were for excessive lead); 50 recalls in 2009 (14 for lead); 46 recalls in 2010 (3 for lead); 34 recalls in 2011 (4 for lead); and 38 recalls in 2012 (3 for lead).  The majority of toy recalls announced last year involved ingestion hazards, including chemical and magnetic dangers.

Lead is known to the State of California to cause cancer and developmental problems in both males and females.  The Chanler Group, on behalf of its clients, has negotiated dozens of settlements compelling companies to reformulate hundreds of products to remove  the harmful toxin lead.

The Chanler Group, on behalf of citizen enforcers and other whistleblower clients, seeks to uncover toxic chemical exposures and government fraud in our everyday lives, to hold the offenders responsible for violations of state and federal law, such as the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, accountable to the public, and to effectuate change for a cleaner environment.